The search for a car can be an overwhelming ordeal – and making the wrong choice can be an expensive exercise.
Most motorists – especially if they are buying their first car – will opt for a second-hand car, but how can you be sure that you are not buying a lemon?
Now mechanic David Long, who is known online as the Car wizardhas shared a video explaining which cars are the best to buy – and which won’t break the bank.
To make sure you get the best deal, David offered the six cars he would recommend starting at $6,000.
‘These cars are simply recommended…’ [they’re] not going to break the bank or [you’re not going to] going out of business trying to keep the thing going, and even if it breaks, an average store should be able to fix them,” he added.
Mechanic David Long, known online as the Car Wizard, has shared a video explaining which cars are the best to buy – and which won’t break the bank
However, the mechanic urged anyone who wants to buy a second-hand car to always have an inspection done before buying a car.
“If you don’t, you could end up spending tons of money and wasting it because you bought a car that’s a lemon – so definitely put up the money to get that inspection done,” he urged.
‘[It’s important to] look at what you are getting into and even if you just take a cursory glance and check this car out initially.”
David then suggests taking your potential purchase for a test drive.
“Next step: test drive it, look at it, and then say, ‘Hey, can I take this to my local mechanic for an inspection? “I want to see what I get here,” he said.
‘[You can] kind of see if this is a good car or a bad car.
“Maybe there are some things I’m willing to fix, maybe there are some things I’m not willing to fix, so definitely keep that in mind.”
Check out David’s six recommended cars below.
Toyota Camry from 2006 to 2012
David’s first recommendation is a 2006 to 2012 Toyota Camry, which he says is “so reliable” – so much so that his own daughter has a 2008 model.
‘[My] My daughter is studying. I don’t have time to fix a broken car all the time,” he explained.
The mechanic said his daughter’s car was “basically bulletproof” with only a few minor issues, describing it as “easily a 250,000 mile car.”
“You should be able to go to any national chain store or local garage and they should be able to fix this car,” he added.
Depending on the car’s mileage, the average sales price of a used 2012 Toyota Camry is between $8,000 and $12,000. Cars.com.
David’s first recommendation is a Toyota Camry, which he says is ‘so reliable’ – so reliable that his own daughter has a 2008 model
Lincoln Town Car from 2005 to 2012
David’s next recommendation was the 2005 to 2012 models of the Lincoln Town Car.
“I know you’re saying ‘oh that’s grandpa’s car’ – trust me, once you drive it you’ll change your mind,” he assured viewers.
The mechanic said all parts of the car had been ‘tried and tested’, pointing out that the car was so reliable that they had been used as police cars and taxis over time.
“These have bulletproof, proven engines, all the way back to the early 1990s,” he added.
David joked that if you can get past the “frumpy looks,” it’s a reliable car that can last 300,000 to 400,000 miles.
Cars.com prices 2012 models between $8,500 and $12,000.
David’s next recommendation was the 2005 to 2012 models of the Lincoln Town Car
Honda Accord from 2007 to 2011
David then suggested a 2007 to 2011 Honda Accord, which he said was “almost as reliable” as a Toyota Camry.
Like his other recommendations, David said you could get more than 200,000 miles out of the car.
The mechanic said there was a four-cylinder or V6 option for the car, and said he would personally choose the former option as it had “fewer moving parts” that needed to be repaired.
“Any shop should be able to work on your Honda Accord,” he said. ‘If that doesn’t work, there’s something wrong with that store.
‘It doesn’t get more basic than a Honda Accord.’
According to Cars.com, 2011 Honda Accords cost between $6,000 and $11,000.
David’s next suggestion was a Honda Accord, which he says is “almost as reliable” as a Toyota Camry
Subaru Outback from 2009 to 2013
The mechanic then suggested a 2009 to 2013 Subaru Outback, although he cautioned potential buyers to stick with the older models and find something in the $6,000 to $8,000 price range.
He noted that four-wheel drive vehicles are especially useful in “mountainous” states.
“They’re just ants on the ground, they’re everywhere,” he said.
However, David recommends avoiding the 2003 and 2004 models, noting that you run the risk of head gasket problems.
The retail price for a 2012 Subaru Outback on Cars.com is between $7,000 and $10,000.
The mechanic then suggested a 2009 to 2013 Subaru Outback, although he cautioned potential buyers to stick with the older models and find something in the $6,000 to $8,000 price range.
Dodge Charger from 2011 to 2016
David acknowledged that his next recommendation, the Dodge Charger, may not be the most popular, but says he should listen to him.
“I know some of you are laughing [and thinking] those things suck,” he said in the clip.
“They’re actually pretty decent,” he continued. “Some of you in the comments have said ‘oh my charger, it’s a poverty car, what the poor people buy.’
‘I don’t agree with that, I find it disrespectful.’
David added that the cars were ‘very comfortable’ and easy to work on, as well as being reasonably fuel efficient.
“Any shop with a good reputation should absolutely be able to work on a domestic Dodge Charger, they should absolutely be able to work on it, this is probably a car that has 250 or 300,000 miles on it,” he said.
Used 2016 Dodge Chargers appear to be slightly more expensive on Cars.com, priced between $11,000 and $16,000.
David added that the Dodge Chargers were “very comfortable” and easy to work with, as well as being fairly fuel efficient
Ford Mustang from 2007 to 2014
For a car that will get you safely from point A to B, David says a Ford Mustang will do.
“It’s actually a very reliable car,” he said, adding that most shops should be able to fix minor problems easily.
Most of the 2014 Ford Mustangs on Cars.com cost over $10,000, even though they were advertised as premium models.
For a car that will get you safely from point A to B, David says the Ford Mustang will do the trick
Nissan Ultima from 2008 to 2019
As for cars to stay away from, David would strongly advise against a Nissan Ultima.
“These are really good for driving through a school zone, they can crash into curbs, they can crash into telephone poles and these things still go on,” he joked.
“I’ve seen some with spare tires, where the tire is gone, it’s on the metal wheel and it’s still running.
As for cars to stay away from, David would strongly advise against a Nissan Ultima
‘These can contain miles of life, but usually there are 200,000 in total [miles].’
‘Usually they don’t get that far because they’re destroyed.
“And the fuel economy isn’t that great since they typically travel over 100 miles per hour.”
